ATLANTA — Helene devastated parts of the southeast United States for days, causing massive flooding, widespread outages and is being blamed for more than 30 fatalities.
Parts of the Peach State were impacted by the storm just hours after it made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida's Big Bend - just a few miles shy of Perry. Two hours away, it barreled into Valdosta, Georgia, bringing near-hurricane-force winds as it was downgraded into a tropical storm. Helene continued to bring powerful gusts and downpours across the state, leaving devastation in its wake.
Thousands of people have been impacted and left to rebuild in Helene's aftermath. Here's how you can help.
Ways to assist in Helene recovery efforts
With a disaster-ready design, DirectRelief works to expand access to medicine and healthcare in the wake of natural disasters. The group is working to help healthcare providers and deliver emergency medical supplies, hygiene kits and transportation support to impacted areas.
GoFundMe has launched an all-encompassing fundraiser to support those impacted by Helene. Funds will be donated to verified campaigns. People can also peruse fundraisers on its Hurricane Helene Relief hub.
The organization is launching a 12-month response to Helene with a goal of raising $2 million to support long-term recovery.
The organization is working to respond to urgent medical needs and deliver supplies to those hardest hit by Helene.
The charity has set up a donation section for Hurricane Helene relief.
The organization has set up a section for feeding sites in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. It also shared how people can donate to help the victims.
The organization's website includes a section where people can help donate.
The organization has set up a page for those who can help donate to feeding victims of Hurricane Helene.
A hub for collection and distribution sites, donations and volunteer opportunities has been set up on its website for those in North Carolina.
Those who would like to support can donate to the Disaster Relief Fund.
The charity set up a neighbor-to-neighbor fund which is being used to help flood victims and those who were impacted by Helene. The fund was established in 2011 to help those in East Tennessee with storm damage.
Help victims of Helene in Georgia
A centralized hub was created on the online fundraiser's website to help those hit by the storm. All listed fundraisers have been verified by GoFundMe.
Nick and Hillary Marchi are working to rebuild after a suspected tornado demolished their Augusta home, according to an online fundraiser. The couple has a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old and now has to rebuild their lives. Click here to donate to their fundraiser.
Gabrielle Klopp has started a fundraiser to assist friends who are now without shelter after a tree fell on their Woodstock home.
Klopp did not name her friends but included photos of the devastation, showing a tree that pummeled through the home's roof and destroyed much of its kitchen. According to the online fundraiser, the residents have cats and a dog and are raising funds to find a home for rent. Support their search by donating here.
A mother is seeking assistance after Helene toppled a tree into her daughter's Douglas home.
"Luckily, everyone is okay, but the house needs to be fixed," Luba Gasparovic, the fundraiser's organizer wrote online. "The funds will be used to rebuild."
To help, click here.
Avid church volunteers and well-known in their community, according to the fundraiser's organizer, the Boatright family's home has been left in disrepair following Helene.
"The family gathered in the living room; this saved their lives since trees went through the roof," the organizer wrote online, describing the home as unlivable, adding their cars were also damaged by the storm. People can help them rebuild by donating here.
Around 5 a.m. Friday, a large oak tree plummeted into a Temple home while the Georgia family slept, according to the fundraiser's organizer. They said the damage done to the roof and interior was extreme and ruined a lot of belongings such as clothing, bedding, furniture and the home's insulation.
"My brother Stephen and his wife Ashley have 3 sweet, young girls living at home as well," the organizer, who identifies herself as Stephen's sister said. "This is going to be a challenging thing to get through as a family."
According to the fundraiser's organizer, the home is considered unstable because more than half of the structure was damaged.
"We're asking for not only funds, but also prayers," the fundraiser reads. "We appreciate everyone who reads about what happened to them this morning."
Brent Collins' teammates have organized a fundraiser for him and his family.
Collins' Bonaire home was severely damaged after a tree fell through the roof.
"Thankfully, his family is safe, and no one was injured," the organizer said. "This would be to cover food, hotel and clean up expenses."
A coworker organized the fundraiser for Sydney Hollis and her significant other, Connor. The two were displaced after dangerous floodwaters from Peachtree Creek destroyed their home.
Most of their furniture was damaged, and their vehicles were totaled. The fundraiser added that their renter's insurance policy does not cover flood damage, so they are paying out of pocket.
The two are trying to find temporary housing.
Alieka Griffin is a teacher at the SoulShine East Atlanta Village. During the hurricane, a large tree fell on her home. Thankfully, she was able to escape, but the damage was extensive, according to the fundraiser.
Supply drives for Hurricane Helene
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Drive for North Carolina victims
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta is hosting a supply drive for Hurricane Helene relief in Asheville.
UUCA, located at 2650 N Druid Hills Rd NE, will be collecting the following items at its social hall on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, from 1 to 7 p.m.
- Bottled Water
- Non-Perishable Food
- Diapers
- Formula
- Menstrual Products
- Wet Wipes
- Pet Food
- Paper Towels
Troup County Hurricane Relief donation drive
The City of LaGrange, Troup County, City of West Point, City of Hogansville, and United Way of West Georgia will conduct a drive on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Western Heights Baptist Church on West Point Road.
They will be collecting:
- Wipes
- Non-perishable foods
- Bottled water
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Diapers
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office donation center
The sheriff's office is collecting supplies through Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the DeKalb County Jail Headquarters on Memorial Drive in Decatur from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Officials are requesting the following supplies:
- Cleaning supplies (cleansers, disinfectants, laundry detergent, rubber gloves, sponges, towels and more)
- Food items (non-perishable items and water)
- Personal toiletries (toothbrushes, feminine products, toothpaste, lotion, etc.)
- Baby and children's items (diapers, coloring books, crayons, etc.)
- Other supplies like sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and air matresses